Controller for providing an efficient dormant mode for a group communication network

• US 6,904,288 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Maggenti, Mark, Rosen, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US10/075,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20020177461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/517, 455/528, 455/560, 455/518, 370/312, 370/352
• US Class Current: 455/518
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5027 Dropping a party from a conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5072 Multiple active speakers conducting a computer conference, e.g. Admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/566 relating to a participants right to speak arrangements for multi-party communication with floor control, e.g. for conferences, H04L65/4038, H04L65/4046, H04L65/4053
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing an efficient dormant mode for push-to-talk communication devices in a group communication network provides for determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period and, if so, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel. The method further includes the steps of determining whether each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period and, if so, causing each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel. The method and apparatus further provides for causing each member of the net to cache its service configuration state before entering the dormant mode.

Claims

1. In a controller operating in a group communication network, a method for putting a net into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the net has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing said each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein said each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if it is determined that said each member of the net has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, further including:

causing said each member of the net to return to an active mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if a member of the net requests a group call.

3. In a controller operating in a group communication network, a computer-readable medium embodying a method for putting a net into a dormant mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the net has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing said each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein said each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein if it is determined that said each member of the net has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, the method further including:

causing said each member of the net to return to an active mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if a member of the net requests a group call.

5. A controller operating in a group communication network, comprising:

means for determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

means for, if it is determined that the net has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

means for determining whether said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

means for, if it is determined that said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing said each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein said each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel.

6. The controller of claim 5, wherein if it is determined that said each member of the net has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, further including:

means for causing said each member of the net to return to an active mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if a member of the net requests a group call.

7. A controller for providing a dormant mode, comprising:

a receiver;

a transmitter; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver and the transmitter, the processor being capable of;

determining whether the net has been inactive for a predetermined first time period;

if it is determined that the net has been inactive for the predetermined first time period, causing each member of the net to enter a control-hold mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel;

determining whether said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for a predetermined second time period; and

if it is determined that said each member of the net has been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, causing said each member of the net to enter a dormant mode, wherein said each member of the net releases its dedicated traffic channel.

8. The controller of claim 7, wherein if it is determined that said each member of the net has not been in the control-hold mode for the predetermined second time period, the processor further being capable of:

causing said each member of the net to return to an active mode, wherein said each member of the net maintains its dedicated traffic channel, if a member of the net requests a group call.